A17385:727
A17385:727
A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St. Peter Wherein are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very useful application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabetical table, not formerly published.A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St. Peter VVherin are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very usefull application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabeticall table, not formerly published.
London: printed by Miles Flesher and Robert Young, 1637
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
6. The sixth rule is, to search the Scriptures, and to get store of provision against the evil day. Now this rule is both a preservative, and a remedy: It is good to keep Satan from assaulting us, (for when he tempts, it is upon hope that we have no armour to resist;) or if he dare assault, It is written, will be a sure weapon: The Word is the sword of the Spirit, that Christ fought withal, and therefore we may be sure, it is a safe weapon.
6. The sixt rule is, to search the Scriptures, and to get store of provision against the evill day. Now this rule is both a preservative, and a remedy: It is good to keepe Sathan from assaulting us, (for when he tempts, it is upon hope that we have no armour to resist;) or if hee dare assault, It is written, will be a sure weapon: The Word is the sword of the Spirit, that Christ fought withall, and therefore we may be sure, it is a safe weapon.
7. The seventh rule is, that we must not complain only, as many do, but we must resist also; we must do our best to oppose tentation; neither must we think this a slender help, for it hath a clear promise, that the Devil shall flee from us.1
7. The seventh rule is, that we must not complain only, as many doe, but we must resist also; we must doe our best to oppose tentation; neither must we think this a slender help, for it hath a cleare promise, that the Devill shall flee from us.1
8. Eighthly prayer is a tried medicine: This Paul used when he was tempted, 2 Cor. 12. and certainly it is powerful either to remove the temptation, or to procure an answer, or strength to bear it.
8. Eighthly prayer is a tryed medicine: This Paul used when hee was tempted, 2 Cor. 12. and certainly it is powerfull either to remove the temptation, or to procure an answer, or strength to beare it.
9. The ninth rule is, we must specially remember to run to the brazen ⟨p. 62⟩serpent. It is without all question, that the sight of Christ is as available to help us against the stings of the old serpent, as ever the sight of the brazen serpent was to cure them that were stung by the fiery serpents.
9. The ninth rule is, wee must specially remember to runne to the brasen ⟨p. 62⟩serpent. It is without all question, that the sight of Christ is as availeable to help us against the stings of the old serpent, as ever the sight of the brasen serpent was to cure them that were stung by the fiery serpents.
10. The tenth: we must labour for a persuasion, that tentations shall never separate us from God: 1unbelief gives them head, and sometimes ere the more they are mistrusted, the more they grow infectious; whereas faith quencheth them,2 though they were fiery darts.
10. The tenth: we must labour for a perswasion, that tentations shall never separate us from God: 1unbeliefe gives them head, and sometimes ere the more they are mistrusted, the more they grow infectious; whereas faith quencheth them,2 though they were fiery darts.
11. The eleventh: If we find the devil practicing upon the flesh, the way is not to revile the devil, but to beat the flesh: Mortification, and the crucifying of the flesh with the lusts of it, 1will expel the devil.
11. The eleventh: If we find the devill practicing upon the flesh, the way is not to revile the devill, but to beat the flesh: Mortification, and the crucifying of the flesh with the lusts of it, 1will expell the devill.
12. The last rule is to be thankful for all mercies we find in temptations, and it is a great means to help us: whereas unthankfulness doth wonderfully strengthen the temptation.
12. The last rule is to be thankfull for all mercies we find in temptations, and it is a great means to help us: whereas unthankfulnesse doth wonderfully strengthen the temptation.
And thus much of the sixth verse.
And thus much of the sixt verse.
This Verse containeth the fourth reason, why afflictions and temptations should not darken the sense of our happiness, and that is taken from the effect of afflictions and tentations, which is in this Verse both propounded and amplified: It is propounded in these words, the trial of your faith; and it is amplified two ways: First, by comparison with gold tried in the furnace: And secondly, by consideration of the event; it will be found to praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. First of the effect, as it is briefly propounded.
THis Verse containeth the fourth reason, why afflictions and temptations should not darken the sense of our happinesse, and that is taken from the effect of afflictions and tentations, which is in this Verse both propounded and amplified: It is propounded in these words, the tryall of your faith; and it is amplified two waies: First, by comparison with gold tryed in the furnace: And secondly, by consideration of the event; it will be found to praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ. First of the effect, as it is briefly propounded.
The trial of your saith.]
The tryall of your saith.]
Two things I would note here. 1. In general, that God will try men. 2. In special, what God tries in men, viz. their faith.
Two things I would note here. 1. In generall, that God will try men. 2. In speciall, what God tries in men, viz. their faith.
1For the first: It is certain that the Lord hath his fire in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem, and he will melt man. For what else should he do to his people?
1For the first: It is certaine that the Lord hath his fire in Sion, and his furnace in Ierusalem, and he will melt man. For what else should hee doe to his people?
First, by observing their ways: and so to try or search them, is nothing else, but to take notice of them and their estates: and so the word may be taken, Psal. 139.1, 2, 3.
First, by observing their waies: and so to try or search them, is nothing else, but to take notice of them and their estates: and so the word may be taken, Psal. 139.1, 2, 3.
Secondly, God proves men when he bestows special blessings upon them, Exod. 16.4.
Secondly, God proves men when hee bestowes speciall blessings upon them, Exod. 16.4.